Douglas Hall Residents React To Coming Demolition

Northern Illinois University officials plan to demolish one of its oldest residence halls within the coming months as part of campus renewal.

Matthew Hanson will be one of the final students to live in Douglas Hall, which was built in 1963. He says he appreciates its traditional feel.

Aerial view of Douglas Hall

Credit NIU Today

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Students react to the coming demolition of Douglas Hall

"You see a lot of these new buildings on campus that are all, like, I don't know, just perfect," Hanson said, "and this one's got its flaws, but it's charming. It's got, I believe they said, musty charm."

The demolition of the building will usher in a broad plan from NIU President Doug Baker that focuses on extending Lucinda Avenue. Those additions are scheduled to be completed within the next few years.

Bill Nicklas,the university’s Vice President of Operations and Community Relations, says the building has a wide variety of issues including a lack of amenities and asbestos-coated pipes and tiles.

Douglas Hall is scheduled to be torn down before the fall semester. University officials say there is enough space in the university's other residence halls to accommodate to students who plan to live on campus next semester.

Alumni who lived in the building are invited to a farewell dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 27, in the Douglas Hall cafeteria

Student Comment On Demolition Plans

"I wish they would keep it open so that I could come back here next year, just to look through it and remember all my memories." - Dylan Hornof

"Douglas was a very close-knit community. Since it was so small, everybody kind of knows each other, and I like that about it." - Auriel Jamison

"I like the easy access to the computer labs; they're right down the stairs. That's probably my favorite aspect of it." - Cearra McDermott